At what point (how much occlusion) does the symptoms of PAD begin to manifest?

When the lumen is occluded 60-75%

Which gender is more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

Men

What is the location of most aortic aneurysms?

The abdominal aorta, below the level of the renal arteries

What are the two strongest risk factors for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Male and smoking

There are two classifications of a true aneurysm. They are fusiform and sacculated. What is the difference between the two?

Fusiform: circumferential and uniform in shape, think blowing up a balloon
Sacculated: pouched out, shaped like an ear lobe

What is the difference between a true aneurysm and a false one?

True: one layer of the vessel wall is still intact
False: all layers are disrupted, bleeding is contained by surrounding structures

Which type of aortic aneurysm:
No pain or a deep, diffuse chest pain that extends to the extrascapular area

Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Which type of aortic aneurysm?
Angina, hoarseness, dysphagia, distended neck veins, edema of the head and arms

Ascending aorta and/or aortic arch

Which type of aortic aneurysm:
Usually asymptomatic. A bruit may be auscultated or a pulsatile mass in the periumbilical area slight left of midline

AAA (Abdominal aortic aneurysm)

What is blue toe syndrome and what causes it?

It is the result of an embolized plaque traveling to distal locations and occluding blood flow, usually caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm

The development of severe back pain with or without bruising on the flanks (ecchymosis) is called _________, and means that an AAA has ruptured

Gray Turner's sign

How do you know if an abdominal aortic aneurysm has ruptured in the posterior peritoneal cavity or anteriorly in the abdominal cavity?

Posteriorly: back pain with or without bruising (Gray Turner's sign)
Anteriorly: they die from hemorrhage

________ is the process of anatomically mapping the aortic system by contrast imaging. It can be useful for determining the amount of vessel involvement in an aneurysm and can detect thoracoabdominal or suprarenal aneurysms.

Angiography

What is the most accurate tool for determining the extent of an aneurysm, including length, diameter and presence of a thrombus?

CT Scan

What is considered the threshold of repair for an aneurysm?

5.5 centimeters

When would repair of an aneurysm be considered even if it is too small according to standard guidelines?

If a woman has an abdominal aortic aneurysm, if the patient is young and low risk, if the aneurysm is growing rapidly or if the patient is symptomatic

What types of grafts are typically utilized to repair aneurysms?

Dacron or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Which patients are most likely to have an endovascular graft procedure?

Elderly, higher risk patients (it is less invasive than the standard surgery)

Who are not an ideal candidate for an endovascular graft procedure? (3)

-Anyone with a aortoiliac occlusive disease
-anyone with an aneurysm with renal artery involvement
-Women with a small femoral artery

What is the most common post-endovascular graft surgical complication?

Perigraft leak: seeping of blood from the graft site into the aneurysm

What are the possible indications of an aortic aneurysm rupture?

Diaphoresis, paleness, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, abdominal-back-groin or periumbilical pain, changes in LOC, or development of a pulsatile mass

What are some preoperative nursing considerations/responsibilities prior to surgery for aneurysm repair?